MSU & Flint: Public Health, Purpose & Impact

What does it look like when a medical school commits not just to treating patients, but to transforming communities?

Join fellow Genesee County Spartans for an inspiring conversation with Jennifer E. Johnson, founding Chair of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Through her leadership, MSU has built a groundbreaking model of public health; one created with the Flint community, not just for it.

At the heart of this work is a bold idea: that meaningful, lasting change happens when institutions partner directly with the communities they serve. The College of Human Medicine’s public health division in Flint stands as a national model, demonstrating how community-engaged research can improve maternal health, advance mental health care, and expand access for historically underserved populations.

Dr. Johnson, a licensed clinical psychologist and nationally recognized researcher, leads major federally funded initiatives addressing suicide prevention, maternal health equity, and health care access for individuals impacted by the criminal-legal system. Her work reflects the College’s mission to serve the most vulnerable while advancing research that drives real-world impact.

We hope you will join us and reconnect with fellow Spartans, deepen your connection to your alma mater, and gain insight into how purpose-driven work is shaping communities today. Tours and light refreshments will be available.

At the end of the event, please join us at Market Tap atop of the Farmers' Market!